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John Rohde: OSU a bubble team no more

By John Rohde •
Modified: February 21, 2010 at 8:20 am •
Published: February 21, 2010

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OSU’s James Anderson goes to the basket between Baylor’s A.J. Walton, left, and Ekpe Udoh during the Cowboys’ 82-75 win Saturday. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

ey can shoot (first in the league) and rebound (third). Unfortunately for them, they didn’t shoot particularly well Saturday (38.8 percent from the field).

"They’ve just got weapons after weapons,” Ford said. "They make you pay. If you miss a defensive assignment, they make you pay. (Guards) LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter just don’t miss. Then they’ve got guys going in there putting their elbows above the rim ... I like their team. I do. I like the strengths that they bring.”

Page and Carter, the two smallest guys on the court, both came up big. The 5-foot-11 Carter finished with 25 points and four assists. The 5-foot-9 Page had 22 points, went 5-for-8 from 3-point range and converted several shots at key moments. OSU junior forward James Anderson once again was "Big Game James” with 31 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.

The Cowboys again sizzled from the field. In their last two home games, they have shot a combined 51.3 percent (60 for 117) from the floor and 52.8 percent (28 for 53) from 3-point range.

Baylor coach Scott Drew endorsed the Cowboys for the postseason. "I’ve thought all along they’re definitely an NCAA Tournament team,” said Drew, who rolled off a slew of stats comparing the Big 12 to other BCS conferences. "I’d be very disappointed if we didn’t get seven or eight teams into the tournament.”

Carter echoed his coach’s sentiments. "If they’re playing like this, most definitely (they’re worthy of an NCAA Tournament bid),” Carter said. "They’re a good team, a solid team. They defend well, rebound well and play hard.”

John Rohde: 475-3099. John Rohde can be heard Monday-Friday from 6-7 p.m. on The Sports Animal Network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1.